A co-founder of a legendary rock band is dead at 71.
Roger McLachlan, the original bassist for Little River Band, died Wednesday, according to singer Michael Oliphant, who performed with McLachlan in the band Late for Breakfast. The cause of death was complications from pancreatic cancer, Oliphant said.
“Roger didn’t wish his struggle to be widely known and so chose to keep it just between family and a handful of friends,” Oliphant wrote on Facebook. “Roger was a wonderful friend, collaborator, musical powerhouse, absolute monster bass player and all round naughty boy... Life will never be the same. RIP dear mate. Gutted.”
According to Ultimate Classic Rock, McLachlan was born in New Zealand and started playing music at an early age. He moved to Australia in 1974 to join a touring production of “Godspell” when he connected with a group that would become Little River Band.
“I arrived for auditions and [early vocalist and songwriter] Graeham Goble said we’ve got this song called ‘It’s a Long Way There,’ we will play it and why don’t you just come in and we will see if something gels,” McLachlan told Riveting Riffs magazine. “They start playing and singing this and I am pinching myself, because I can’t believe how good these guys are. They played the groove and I start playing the groove. The rest is history. It just kind of clicked straightaway.”
Little River Band is an Australian rock group best known for 1970s and ’80s hits like “Reminiscing,” “Cool Change,” “Lonesome Loser” and “Lady.” Currently led by singer-bassist Wayne Nelson, the Grammy-nominated band has sold more than 30 million records and been inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame.
McLachlan played bass on LRB’s first two albums before moving on to other bands like Pyramid, Stars, and Late for Breakfast. He also worked as a solo artist, touring musician, session artist, and contributor to movie and TV soundtracks like “Crocodile Dundee.”
Survivors include McLachlan’s wife, Desley, and “a delightful loving family who were all with him through the end,” Oliphant said.
Little River Band is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary on tour, including an upcoming June 20 concert at the Vernon Downs Casino Hotel. Tickets are on sale for $20 via Ticketmaster; proceeds will benefit the Food Bank of Central New York.